Specifying, producing, and delivering variable-content documents

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer program products are presented for creating and distributing a document of a particular type, where the document is based on variable content and/or variable layout. In one embodiment, a four-step process is used. First, the document is specified. The document can be specified anywhere, regardless of the location of the user&#39;s office or the destination address of the document. In one embodiment, the document is specified using a client device (e.g., a computer running a web browser) that is attached to a network (e.g., the Internet). Second, the specification is transmitted to a production facility based on the destination address. Third, the document is produced at the facility. Finally, the produced document is delivered to the destination address.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/344,137, filed Dec. 24, 2008, entitled “Specifying, Producing, andDelivering Variable-Content Documents” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/017,476, filed Dec. 28, 2007, entitled“Specifying, Producing, and Delivering Variable-Content Documents”, bothof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thisapplication is related to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/581,870,filed on Oct. 16, 2006, entitled “Dynamic Variable-Content Publishing”(now U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,476), which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to creating different types of documentswhich can be distributed in different ways. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a system that can be used to create anddistribute different types of documents that are based on variablecontent and/or variable layout.

2. Description of Background Art

While businesses differ, one thing that they all have in common is theneed for custom-produced business documents such as correspondence,contracts, transaction records, financial reports, legal disclosures,product announcements, press releases, sales proposals, marketingmaterials, memos or reports, account statements, invoices, and bills.Another commonality is that once these documents have been prepared,they must be delivered to the intended recipients. These businessdocuments are almost always customized with information specific to abusiness such as the business' name, address, and logo. They alsofrequently contain content that must be changed or varied according tothe specific recipient or group of recipients to which the document isdirected. In its most basic form, this variable content may include suchinformation as the recipients' address or contact data, but it may alsoinclude a wide range of other information that comprises the substanceof the document and also alters or determines the form in which it isdisplayed or delivered.

Production and delivery of printed business documents is usually not thefocus of a business. Instead, business owners want their employees tofocus on serving customers and providing goods and services.Unfortunately, the handling of printed business documents can involve agreat deal of time, expense, and aggravation. Consider, for example,what is required to produce a simple business letter:

First, letterhead stationery must be produced. This requires aletterhead to be printed onto first sheets, second sheets, andenvelopes. Next, the letter must be composed and formatted to fit thefirst and second sheets, and the addressee information must be composedand formatted to fit the envelope. Then, a good printer is needed toprint the first and second sheets and the envelope. Finally, deliverymust be arranged. Note that this is an optimistic example. Things canget much more complicated when the letter contains typos, the envelopeis incorrectly inserted into the printer, the printer is low on toner,the document must be delivered the next day, and the post office isclosed. These familiar difficulties are compounded many times over whenthe document involved is more complex or involves illustrations, graphsor photographs, unusual page sizes, inserts or bindings, multiplelanguages, rush delivery, transnational delivery, or other specialfeatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems, methods, and computer program products are presented forcreating and distributing a document of a particular type, where thedocument is based on variable content and/or variable layout. In oneembodiment, a four-step is process is used. First, the document isspecified. The document can be specified anywhere, regardless of thelocation of the user's office or the destination address of thedocument. In one embodiment, the document is specified using a clientdevice (e.g., a computer running a web browser) that is attached to anetwork (e.g., the Internet). Second, the specification is transmittedto a production facility based on the destination address. Third, thedocument is produced at the facility. Finally, the produced document isdelivered to the destination address.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for creating and distributinga document of a particular type, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on databits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission, or display devices.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein. This apparatus is specially constructed for therequired purposes, or it comprises a general-purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program is stored in a computer readablestorage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk includingfloppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks,read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer systembus.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purposesystems are used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein,or more specialized apparatus are constructed to perform the requiredmethod steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems willappear from the description below. In addition, the present invention isnot described with reference to any particular programming language. Itwill be appreciated that a variety of programming languages can be usedto implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.

What is needed is a system that can enable a user to specify a printedbusiness document and then have the document automatically produced anddelivered without further user intervention. The system should be easyto use, affordable, and efficient. Also, the delivery of the documentshould be rapid.

A system called a “console” is used to create and distribute differenttypes of documents, such as different types of documents that are basedon variable content and/or variable layout. As used herein, the term“document” refers generally to any type of publication in any form,including (but not limited to) a piece of written, printed, orelectronic matter that provides information or evidence; anythingserving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolicmarks; writing that provides information (including information of anofficial nature); a formal piece of writing that provides information oracts as a record of events or arrangements; a writing conveyinginformation; or a paper or set of papers with written or printedinformation, including of an official type. A document can comprise anytype of substrate, including paper, plastic, and cloth.

Examples of a document include, but are not limited to, a magazine,newsletter, book, folder, letter, certificate, report, brochure,pamphlet, booklet, leaflet, catalog, publication, periodical,prospectus, circular, guide, handbook, workbook, manual, journal,register, volume, page(s), directory, declaration, manuscript, script,contract, testament, record, chart, dossier, material, questionnaire,query, survey, research, newssheet, communication, discourse, interview,narrative, tract, treatise, album, concordance, tome, epic, paperback,log, primer, textbook, annual, ledger, posting, spreadsheet, account,index, library, collection, series, print, edition, issue, tabloid,proof, composition, galley, layout, conveyance, instrument, and review.

In one embodiment, the console is used to create and distribute printedbusiness documents such as letterhead stationery, business cards, memosor reports, invoices or bills (possibly self-mailing), flyers,brochures, proposals, postcards, newsletters, folders, books, boxes,labels, coupons, and signatures (11″×17″, full-color, two-sided). Inother embodiments, the process is used to create and distribute othertypes of documents.

A document is defined by two principal characteristics: content andlayout. Content can include the broadest possible spectrum of text,numerical data, artwork, images, graphics, and symbols. Layout isgenerally defined as the spatial arrangement of content on atwo-dimensional surface (such as a page). This two-dimensional surfacecan itself be arranged together with other such surfaces as part of aset of pages (such as a magazine or book). Page sets can be furtherarranged into sets of page sets (such as volumes), possibly includingadditional dependent elements such as covers, tables of contents, andindexes.

A console can create documents that are based on highly-variable contentand/or highly-variable layout. For example, not only can the content ona page vary, but the number of pages in a book or volume and the numberof books or volumes in a boxed set can also vary.

In one embodiment, the console uses algorithms or rules during variousparts of the publishing process to substantially digitize and/orautomate the process. For example, the creation and distribution of adocument is generally accomplished by a team of people such as contentcreators, editors, customers (who ultimately purchase the document), andpublishing supervisors. Since the document is generated algorithmically,it is embodied in electronic form. This means that a document can beaccessed from various locations by various people over a network. Also,a person's access to a document can be restricted or customized based onher role in the publishing process. In one embodiment, a document(and/or its content elements) is encrypted during various phases of thepublishing process so that it cannot be understood by unauthorizedpeople.

In one embodiment, audit trails and/or archives are incorporated intothe publishing process, including during the creation and/ordistribution phases. Since the publishing process is electronic, logscan be automatically generated that reflect publishing operation andstatus. Every edit on every page can be tracked. Documents that arecreated can be archived and searched. Real-time reports, notifications,and alerts can be generated and sent automatically to users or othersoftware applications. In one embodiment, a problem can be detectedautomatically and, depending on the circumstances, also correctedwithout requiring user intervention.

Workflow, approval, and accounting processes can also be integrated intothe publishing process. In one embodiment, a user can track every stageof order fulfillment using an online interface. For example, literallyevery sheet of paper can be tracked from composition and creation todelivery to provide the user with a complete audit trail of documentmanagement. In one embodiment, this is achieved using trackingtechnologies such as barcodes and/or radio-frequency identification(RFID).

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for creating and distributinga document of a particular type, according to one embodiment of theinvention. The method 100 includes four steps: a document is specified110, the specification is transmitted 120 to a production facility, thespecified document is produced 130, and the produced document isdelivered 140. In one embodiment, steps 120 and 130 are fully automated.In addition, steps 110 and 140 are highly automated and require littlemanual input.

The first step, specifying 110 a document, involves determining a)information needed to produce the document (“production information”)and b) information needed to deliver the document (“deliveryinformation”). Production information includes, for example, the contentand layout of the document. Delivery information includes, for example,the destination address and the target delivery date. Together,production information and delivery information (collectively referredto as a specification of a document) form an order for a customizeddocument. The document can be customized based on, for example, theintended recipient of the document. Specifying a document in this mannercan enable a finalized business document to be created in a matter ofseconds instead of a matter of minutes.

In one embodiment, a user submits this information using a softwareapplication with a graphical user interface (GUI). The application canbe specialized for this purpose or it can be a standard web browser. Inone embodiment, the user accesses the software via a paid subscriptionto an online service. Note that the software interface can be usedanywhere and at any time to specify documents and cause them to beproduced and delivered. In one embodiment, the information is submittedusing a client device (e.g., a computer running a web browser) that isattached to a network (e.g., the Internet).

In one embodiment, rather than expand the palette of choices a user hasfor composing, printing, and having a document delivered, the consoledoes the opposite: it deliberately limits the choices available to theuser. Such deliberate limitation provides a number of importantadvantages to the user. These advantages include assuring that suchaspects of the document as its design, layout, and content are optimizedin terms of such criteria as aesthetics (e.g., visual effectiveness,attractiveness), size (e.g., number of pages), usage of materials (e.g.,amounts of specific inks, types of paper, types of envelopes),juxtaposition of content (e.g., some text and graphics on each page),production (e.g., speed of document printing, collation, approval),quality control (e.g., minimization of possible errors at any stage ofcomposition, production, or delivery), and delivery (e.g., deliveryspeed and efficiency, delivery method, types of postage). By judiciouslylimiting user choice, the console can ensure that documents arecomposed, printed, and delivered significantly more efficiently andeffectively than can users who are confronted by the bewildering numberof choices usually afforded them when deciding to compose, print, andhave a document delivered. In one aspect, the console is capable ofoperationalizing best practices and efficiencies—even ones that userswould not have known to choose—to ensure the highest quality andefficiency of document composition, printing, and delivery.

Various tools are available to help the user submit the information. Forexample, a pre-loaded list of contacts includes various types ofinformation such as customer name, company name, address, phone number,fax number, and email address. This information can be used asproduction information (e.g., to customize an envelope) and as deliveryinformation (e.g., to specify where the letter will be sent). In oneembodiment, the user can select various contacts (or groups of contacts)from the list to specify which contacts should receive a document.

In order to populate the contact list, information can be enteredmanually or imported from a wide variety of electronic sources such asMicrosoft Outlook address books, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets,comma-delimited files, and various third-party contact databaseapplications. Alternatively, the information can be obtained from athird party such as a list acquisition service. The contact list can beedited, amended, expanded, sorted, and/or exported at any time by theuser. In one embodiment, a contact is annotated to indicate whichdocument was sent to that contact and when.

As documents are created and saved over time, a document repositoryemerges that can be searched in order to find documents to re-use (withor without modifications). In one embodiment, these documents can alsobe used as templates (described below). Content can be organized andmanipulated using content management tools.

Basic templates are provided for standard printed business documents andtheir layouts. More advanced templates can also be accessed for anadditional fee. In one embodiment, a user is purposely limited to arelatively small set of templates that have been specially designed towork well and to create professional quality documents. Removing somechoices and constraining the user in this way causes the end productbusiness documents to be of a much higher quality.

In one embodiment, a template is a set of rules (e.g., conditions ordefinitions) governing the construction (e.g., design and/or layout,sizing and/or placement of content) of a document. In one embodiment, atemplate describes a document's header and footer, background, and/orbody layout. A template can also describe a portion of a document, suchas one page of the document or one portion of one page of the document.In one embodiment, multiple templates are used together to describe aparticular type of document that is based on variable content and/orvariable layout. One template can be used with different content pieces.

In one embodiment, if a particular type of information is indicated foruse with a template (a “springing template”), the template automaticallygenerates one or more related sections to be included in the document.These related sections can be either pre-filled or available for a userto populate. For example, consider a business letter template thatcontains two paragraphs. The user can choose one of two pre-writtenparagraphs to use as the first paragraph. The content of the secondparagraph then changes depending on which pre-written paragraph the userchose to use as the first paragraph. In one embodiment, although theparagraphs are pre-written, they can still be edited by the user ifdesired.

In another embodiment, a template can automatically analyze a firstcontent portion (e.g., text) and, based on that analysis, determine asecond content portion to include (e.g., an image concerning a topicrelated to the text). In yet another embodiment, a template canautomatically change a page's layout based on the characteristics ofcontent (e.g., the size and shape of an image) that has been selectedfor inclusion in the page. In yet another embodiment, a template canautomatically analyze the content of an image and change its operationaccordingly.

Templates can be automatically populated using contact informationand/or user-submitted text or artwork (e.g., a company logo). In orderto be scalable, the artwork might be converted to vector format (if itwasn't already in that format). For example, a simple business lettertemplate might automatically populate the following areas: the topcenter of the page (insert the business' logo as the letterhead), thearea below that and to the left (insert the recipient's contactinformation as the destination address), and the area after the body ofthe letter (insert the user's name and contact information as thesignature block). In one embodiment, recurring content associated with aparticular template can be saved and assigned to the template so thatthe template is populated automatically if desired. If a templaterequires a piece of information that is missing, a user can be promptedto submit the information.

In one embodiment, a resource library includes pre-written, fullycustomizable business communications. For example, a pre-writtencollection letter can be chosen, where variable information includes thesender, recipient, amount due, etc. As another example, a pre-writtenfollow-up sales letter can be chosen, which is useful after having madea sales call. Also, a pre-written “special offer” discount flyer can bechosen, where variable information includes the product and pricinginformation. In one embodiment, if a user customizes a document or apiece of content, that customization is stored and made available foruse at a later time. If the stored customization is of general interest,it can be made available to both the user who created it and to otherusers.

In one embodiment, an online proof of the document being specified isavailable so that the user can review it and make any necessary changes.

After the user is satisfied with the delivery information and theproduction information (as reflected, for example, in the online proof),the user submits the customized document order and the method 100 movesto step 120. The user can also pay for the order online (e.g., via acredit/debit card or a pre-paid account).

The second step, transmitting 120 the specification to a productionfacility, involves sending an electronic version of the specification(i.e., the production information and delivery information) to aproduction facility. Then, the document is produced 130 at the facilityaccording to the received specification.

In one embodiment (not shown), after a document has been specified 110,the specification is further processed before being transmitted 120 to aproduction facility. For example, the specification is processed tochange the content of a document from one language to another. In oneembodiment, a specification is automatically processed so that itscontent is translated into the language local to the destinationaddress. In this way, specification 110 of a single document can resultin the production of multiple documents, each in a different language,being delivered to different countries.

In another embodiment, only a portion of the specification istransmitted 120 to a production facility. In this embodiment, theproduction facility already has access to the rest of the specification.For example, if the specification uses a template, a copy of thetemplate can be transmitted to the production facility ahead of time andstored for later use. This caching of data at the production facilitydecreases the size of the specification that needs to be transmitted.

In yet another embodiment (also not shown), a different type ofelectronic description of a document can be transmitted to a productionfacility. In this embodiment, the electronic description would differfrom the “specification” mentioned above. Instead, the electronicdescription would adhere to a standard document format such as Word fromMicrosoft, Portable Document Format from Adobe, or PostScript fromAdobe. In one embodiment, an Application Program Interface (API) is usedto access the capabilities of a production facility, and the electronicdescription is processed before it is transmitted to the productionfacility (e.g., to put the description in a format that can beunderstood by the machines at the facility). In another embodiment, thesystem of production facilities appears to the user as a “printer” thatcan be selected to print a particular document (e.g., from within asoftware application such as Microsoft Word).

In one embodiment, more than one production facility exists that iscapable of producing the specified document. For example, each facilityhas the requisite machines and materials (paper, ink, etc.). All of thefacilities might be identical in terms of capabilities. Alternatively,some facilities might offer different capabilities. If multiple capablefacilities exist, transmitting 120 the specification and producing 130the document follows a “distribute-and-print” model in order to select afacility to produce the document.

In one embodiment, the distribute-and-print model calls for theproduction facility to be selected based on the destination address.Recall that the destination address is part of the delivery informationportion of the specification of the document. Transmitting a documentelectronically towards its destination before producing the documentsaves a lot of time and expense. Also, this allows for more efficientuse of postal-route sorting in order to achieve savings for deliverycharges. Production facilities can be widely scattered geographically inorder to increase the efficiency of document delivery to any geographicarea. Different metrics can be used for the facility selection, asfollows: (Note that multiple metrics can be combined to form an overallmetric that is then used to select a facility.)

Geographical distance—In one embodiment, the specification istransmitted 120 electronically to the production facility that minimizesthe geographical distance between the facility and the destinationaddress.

Delivery cost—In another embodiment, the specification is transmitted120 electronically to the production facility that minimizes the costfor delivering the printed document from that facility to thedestination address. This facility may or may not be the facility thatminimizes the geographical distance, based on postal zones and rates.

Delivery time—In yet another embodiment, the specification istransmitted 120 electronically to the production facility that minimizesthe time required to deliver the printed document from that facility tothe destination address. This facility may or may not be the facilitythat minimizes the geographical distance and/or the facility thatminimizes the delivery cost.

In another embodiment, the distribute-and-print model calls for theproduction facility to be selected based on the characteristics of thefacility. Different metrics can be used for the selection, as follows:(Note that multiple metrics can be combined to form an overall metricthat is then used to select a facility.)

Unused capacity—In one embodiment, the specification is transmitted 120electronically to the production facility that has the largest unusedcapacity. The effect would be balancing the work loads among thedifferent facilities.

Labor cost—In one embodiment, the specification is transmitted 120electronically to the production facility that has the lowest laborcost. This would be useful, for example, if producing the document werelabor-intensive.

The third step, producing 130 the specified document, involvesgenerating the document in tangible form based on the receivedspecification. In one embodiment, machines at the selected productionfacility modify (e.g., print on) various kinds of physical, hard copymaterials (plain, glossy, transparent, etc.) to produce the specifieddocument. In one embodiment, these materials are subjected to variousfinishing processes such as cutting, folding, boxing, and labeling. Thematerials can be used in different ways to organize and assemble thedocument (e.g., box, book cover and contents, folder cover and contents,booklet, and label). In one embodiment, instructions regarding how to“finish” a job are included in one or more job tickets. A job ticket caninclude a barcode that, once scanned, indicates that the instructions onthe job ticket have been performed successfully. In this way, the statusof the finishing process can be tracked and viewed online.

The fourth step, delivering 140 the produced document, involves mailing,shipping, or otherwise moving the produced (tangible) document from theselected production facility, where it was produced, to the destinationaddress. Delivery can include using the services of a public postoffice, a commercial carrier, a courier or messenger service, etc. Inmost situations, the facility at which a document is produced is closeenough to the destination address for the document to reach itsdestination with overnight delivery or perhaps even the same day.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product for creating avariable-content document, comprising: a non-transitory machine-readablemedium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:receiving a specification of the document, wherein the specificationcomprises production information and delivery information, and whereinthe production information indicates document content and documentlayout, and wherein the delivery information indicates a destinationaddress; determining a set of production facilities, wherein eachproduction facility in the set is capable of producing the document;determining, for each of a plurality of production facilities within theset, a corresponding metric value quantifying a suitability of theproduction facility for performing a delivery to the destinationaddress, wherein the metric value is based at least in part on a measureof a labor cost specific to the production facility for producing thedocument; selecting, from the production facilities based on thecorresponding metric values, a production facility; and transmitting thespecification to the selected production facility.
 2. The computerprogram product of claim 1, wherein the metric value corresponding to aproduction facility is based at least in part on a geographical distancebetween the production facility and the destination address.
 3. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein the metric valuecorresponding to a production facility is based at least in part on amonetary delivery cost from the production facility to the destinationaddress.
 4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the metricvalue corresponding to a production facility is based at least in parton a delivery time from the production facility to the destinationaddress.
 5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the metricvalue corresponding to a production facility is based at least in parton a particular characteristic of the production facility.
 6. Thecomputer program product of claim 5, wherein the particularcharacteristic of the production facility comprises a measure of anunused capacity of the production facility.
 7. The computer programproduct of claim 1, wherein the document content is written in a firstnatural language, and wherein the method further comprises: identifyinga second natural language local to the destination address; andautomatically translating the document content to the second naturallanguage, prior to transmitting the specification to the selectedproduction facility.
 8. A computer program product for specifying avariable-content document, comprising: a non-transitory machine-readablemedium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising: offeringa plurality of choices for a characteristic of the document, wherein thechoices optimize a quality of the document; receiving one choice fromthe plurality of choices; based on the received choice, generating aspecification of the document, wherein the specification comprisesproduction information and delivery information, and wherein theproduction information indicates document content and document layout,and wherein the delivery information indicates a destination address;applying a template to the specification; and responsive to a change incharacteristics of the document content, the template automaticallychanging the document layout.
 9. The computer program product of claim8, wherein the characteristic of the document comprises a design of thedocument or a layout of the document or a content of the document. 10.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the quality of thedocument is based on one or more elements of a group containingaesthetics, size, usage of materials, juxtaposition of content,production, quality control, and delivery.
 11. A system for creating avariable-content document, comprising: a non-transitory machine-readablemedium encoded with instructions for: receiving a specification of thedocument, wherein the specification comprises production information anddelivery information, and wherein the production information indicatesdocument content and document layout, and wherein the deliveryinformation indicates a destination address; determining a set ofproduction facilities, wherein each production facility in the set iscapable of producing the document; determining, for each of a pluralityof production facilities within the set, a corresponding metric valuequantifying a suitability of the production facility for performing adelivery to the destination address, wherein the metric value is basedat least in part on a measure of a labor cost specific to the productionfacility for producing the document; selecting, from the productionfacilities based on the corresponding metric values, a productionfacility; and transmitting the specification to the selected productionfacility; and a processor for executing the instructions.
 12. The systemof claim 11, wherein the metric value corresponding to a productionfacility is based at least in part on a geographical distance betweenthe production facility and the destination address.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the metric value corresponding to a productionfacility is based at least in part on a monetary delivery cost from theproduction facility to the destination address.
 14. The system of claim11, wherein the metric value corresponding to a production facility isbased at least in part on a delivery time from the production facilityto the destination address.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein themetric value corresponding to a production facility is based at least inpart on a particular characteristic of the production facility.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the particular characteristic of theproduction facility comprises a measure of an unused capacity of theproduction facility.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the documentcontent is written in a first natural language, and wherein thenon-transitory machine-readable medium is further encoded withinstructions for: identifying a second natural language local to thedestination address; and automatically translating the document contentto the second natural language, prior to transmitting the specificationto the selected production facility.
 18. A system for specifying avariable-content document, comprising: a non-transitory machine-readablemedium encoded with instructions for: offering a plurality of choicesfor a characteristic of the document, wherein the choices optimize aquality of the document; receiving one choice from the plurality ofchoices; based on the received choice, generating a specification of thedocument, wherein the specification comprises production information anddelivery information, and wherein the production information indicatesdocument content and document layout, and wherein the deliveryinformation indicates a destination address; applying a template to thespecification; and responsive to a change in characteristics of thedocument content, the template automatically changing the documentlayout; and a processor for executing the instructions.
 19. The systemof claim 18, wherein the characteristic of the document comprises adesign of the document or a layout of the document or a content of thedocument.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the quality of thedocument is based on one or more elements of a group containingaesthetics, size, usage of materials, juxtaposition of content,production, quality control, and delivery.